today was a beautiful day!

we worked outside and installed the new shutters, painted the front door and the bulkhead, and installed the deck stairs and rail posts.

plumbing...

we installed the bathtubs today....
it was actually very easy to do- the fiberglass tubs are very light!


the network of plumbing vents inside the wall is impressive;


as i mentioned before, the tub in the 2nd floor bath is a deeper, wider soaker tub;


the plumber also installed the shower valves and hot and cold supply lines;

calling all coupons!

if anyone has any coupons for discounts from lowe's, home depot, or other local hardware stores (like ace)...and you dont plan on using them...

please send them our way if you dont mind---10% of alot of money, is alot of money!

thanks so much! we really appreciate it!

The siding is finished! we just need to install the gutters and shutters, and paint the doors.

here are some before and after shots (click to enlarge):




we also installed the ceiling rafters in the master bedroom (very easy to do if you have a laser level!) and we started wiring the 2nd floor.

we couldnt have a cathedral ceiling because we needed to provide an attic space to run the hvac ductwork. but, we were still able to vault the ceiling to almost 9 feet, which is certainly better than the 7 foot ceiling that was there.

we are also making progress with the plumbing and expect the rough plumbing inspection on tuesday.

the siding is under way and will probably be finished up by wednesday...we used the same color siding as the previous flip (it is in stock at lowe's).


we also decided to remove the existing bathtub in the first floor bathroom. it was in bad shape and it is actually cheaper to replace it than it is to have it refinished.

it was a cast iron tub, so we took a sledge hammer to it and broke it up into more manageable pieces. it was alot easier than i expected (you just have to put a towel over the tub before you smash it because the porcelain fractures into tiny shards)

we bought two new fiberglass bathtubs...a deeper soaker tub for the 2nd floor bath


our plumber has started to run the new waste and vent lines in the basement;

2nd floor framing

today we started to frame the interior partitions on the 2nd floor. the walls need to be in place for the plumber and heating sub--who will both begin work this week.

view from the master bedroom towards the bathroom;



view from the small bedroom towards the bathroom

scott and i went out for a late lunch today. when we returned he walked by the bathroom and happened to glance in to see a round ray of light projecting up from the floor where the toilet used to be. the perfectly good, toto brand, toilet that we had no intention of removing. after some detective-work, we found the toilet, smashed to pieces, sitting at the bottom of our dumpster... (the plumber threw it out!)

in renovation, things need to look worse, before they can look better...

here is the new side entry door that we installed the other day;


and the front door;


the siding is scheduled to be installed tomorrow, but we are expecting rain.
today was a beautiful 60 degrees, so we worked outside and installed some deck boards;



we also installed the copper flashing at the house before the last board went in;


here is a view looking toward the newly dormered master bedroom;


and another view looking back towards the smaller 2nd floor bedroom;

there has been alot of activity at the house over the past couple of days...the electrician upgraded our service, there is a crew finishing up the dormer and a crew installing the roofing...


they stayed until the front 1/2 of the roof was finished...


and used their headlights to help them see!



there is only one subcontractor who is awol...the plumber, of course! he was supposed to begin last week---but there has been no sign of him...not even a phone call!

the building inspector stopped by on saturday to inspect and approve the deck foundation holes, so today scott placed the concrete footings and we should be able to finish up the deck this week.

scott and i also were able to install the new front and side entry doors today (sorry no pix...maybe tomorrow!)

stair to the 2nd floor...the back of the house was demolished today







tomorrow, the walls and roof will go up!

we finally got our permit!!! just in time, because the contractor was scheduled to begin the dormer tomorrow...so now we can move forward with no real worries.

nstar installed the gas line today. it is very cold in the house and the forecast calls for snow this friday night! but we still wont have heat for another couple of weeks.

today, we installed the new basement exterior door (to the bulkhead)...


and the kitchen window

we also finished running the new electrical circuits and expect our electrician to install the service upgrade this friday. we also expect the plumber to begin tomorrow or friday.

today we received our shipments of doors and windows



i also stopped by the town building dept office to drop off the plot plan...(note: in an attempt towards sensitivity, the town idiot will from now on be referred to as TI)

mary: (cheerfully) good morning!
kristen: good morning, here is the plot plan- our application should now be complete
mary: (gestering to TI, lowes her voice) you'd better ask him when you will get the permit
kristen: (quietly) oh, okay
TI: (perusing the plans)...hmmm, okay....fair enough...this is official....fair enough
kristen: so this should complete our application
TI: yes, so...you can go ahead with the deck as discussed....(looks over plans again)...hmmm....yes, okay....fair enough, fair enough...where will the dormer go?...okay...yes...fair enough
kristen: so....when do you think we will have our permit?
TI: soon
kristen: (thinking: not this again!) can we start this week?
TI: maybe
kristen: (aaaarrrghhhh! kristen quietly counts to ten while supressing the urge to pull every hair out of her head- she musters a smile) okay, fair enough!
(as kristen leaves she shoots mary the 'i tried' look accompanied by a small shrug of the shoulders....mary was frowning, shooting a dirty look at TI, and shaking her head from side to side) ha! i love mary!

we are framing the partition walls in the basement...


here is a view from inside the new laundry room...

today we framed over the old damaged concrete entry steps with pressure treated wood decking;


the sides will probably be covered with lattice (we havent decided yet)


to encapsulate the asbestos tiles in the basement, we installed a layer of vapor barrier under a layer of 1/2" osb panels. we will be carpeting this space


another view of the basement